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Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls - Act 3

by starshifter ::: 23.Jul.2003

Rebel in Willow Falls *Act 3.1*

**************

~~ Los Angeles - Madison Boxing Studio - Spring 1947 ~~

Sano finished his cool down and looked at the clock on the opposite wall. He wiped the sweat from his eyes with a white towel. It had his name on it - in bold black letters. He lost himself in thoughts as he stuffed his bag.

“Sanosuke Sagara”

Sano turned to find two men behind him, they were well built, perhaps one slightly older than the other- but Sano could tell right away that the younger one was a boxer - and the other his manager.

His hunch proved correct- the younger one stepped forward, and Sano could see the fight mania in his eyes.

“I am Shishio” he jabbed his thumb towards the man behind him “That is my manager Hoji”

Sano gave a nod towards Hoji and looked back at Shishio, “What can I do for you?”

Shishio gave a sickly kind of grin and Sano cringed.

“I understand you won the division finals last quarter - in fact, as I understand it - you carried your whole team through the trials.”

Sano shrugged. “So?”

“So… the way you are performing this quarter - practically ensures your participation in the division fights.”

“Perhaps.”

“I want to know - if you make it through this division - would you consider fighting in the district finals?”

Sano was startled. ‘District?’

It had never crossed his mind.

“No, I’m not interested.”

Shishio tilted his head.

“No?”

Sano shook his head.

“Nah, the district fight is in San Fran, right?” “I couldn’t make it there. I’m actually planning on moving back to my hometown after the division finals.”

Shishio didn’t seem to hear Sano’s reply - he looked him up and down and turned to leave.

“I’ll see you at district - Sagara. You’ll be there.”

Sano could only look at the two retreating backs in surprise.

‘Is he stupid or something? Didn’t he hear me?’

However, at the end of division finals, Sano learned he would have no choice but to make the district fights.

Apparently…

it was unheard of to turn down a request made by Shishio.

************

Rebel in Willow Falls Act 3.2

(you know- Fall 1947)

Sano regarded the young man in front of him - sharp, piercing eyes and black hair.

He saw the hint of bloodlust and mania in his eyes - and silently cursed his luck.

His reputation in the town should have faded with time- so why was it that he got these looks - and why did it affect him? What was it with this guy?

Calm and collected- Sano went around him by walking into the street, but the young man stayed with him- backing down the sidewalk and always keeping one pace ahead of Sano.

Sano carried on - and remained calm - his hands were in his pockets and his stride never faltered. However, Yahiko was another matter altogether. He was watching the young man anxiously from behind Sano - as they moved further down the street. Yahiko was nearly at his boiling point - when Sanosuke abruptly turned to his left and walked to the other side of the street. His stride was so brisk that Yahiko had to run to keep up, and he hardly noticed as they passed through a white gate to walk up a flower-lined sidewalk. What really took Yahiko by surprise - was how the door swung open before them and Miyako ushered them inside.

Sano and Yahiko followed Miyako into the living room. There they found Dr. Gensai waiting for them - peering out the window to the street outside. He turned and greeted them with a smile as Miyako settled herself into a chair. Sanosuke flopped onto the couch and Yahiko followed suit. Dr. Gensai returned to his chair and glanced at Sanosuke again.

“His name is Aoshi Shinimori, he’s been waiting out there for over an hour - we had no idea what to make of it - but now I guess we know - he was waiting for you.”

Sanosuke nodded.

Yahiko frowned. “But- we’ve never met the guy - what’s he got against us?”

Dr. Gensai sighed. “Good Question.”

Miyako looked at all of them. “I will not have Sano and Yahiko walk back out there - not while he’s there. We’ll drive you to your car when it’s time to leave.”

Sanosuke looked down at his hands.

Yahiko was the one to speak. “We didn’t drive in - we walked.”

Miyako looked surprised and uttered an “Oh, dear.”

Dr. Gensai leaned forward and inquired what was wrong with the car.

Sano didn’t reply but Yahiko stood to face his brother saying -

“Nothing is really wrong with it.” “Silly Sano just started playing around with it yesterday afternoon- and went on dismantling it - until it was too late to fix before bedtime - so we had no choice but to walk.”

Yahiko glared at the top of his brother’s bowed head.

Sano lifted his head - but it was obvious he was enjoying the tension -he was chuckling.

“So I lost track of time yesterday.” He shrugged and grinned at his brother - but Yahiko wasn’t fazed - he continued glaring.

That caused Sano to only grin wider.

Dr. Gensai coughed and Sano struggled to regain some composure saying sheepishly-

“Happens to everyone.”

“No, it only happens to you!” was the sharp reply.

Dr. Gensai coughed again - this time successfully bringing the light skirmish to a stop.

Yahiko and Sano noticed another person had joined them in the room.

Miyako smiled sweetly - “Tsubame, these are the boys I was telling you about this morning.” “Sanosuke and Yahiko Sagara.”

The three stared at each other for a bit - until Tsubame’s face broke out into a smile. “Hi!”

Yahiko stared numbly - his face slightly flushing. He barely remembered a plump, pony-tailed girl he had played with once or twice - he didn’t know this girl at all.

Sano nudged him from behind “H...h...hi!" he spat out nervously.

Tsubame smiled and Yahiko moved slowly - backing up to take a seat in the couch again. They both just stared at each other.

Sano chuckled and looked to Dr. Gensai, “I enrolled Yahiko in grade school and he starts tomorrow.”

Dr. Gensai nodded and then asked “What about yourself, Sanosuke?”

Sano shook his head grinning, “Not yet.”

“Sano!” Miyako frowned,

Sano grew serious “But, Mr. Selman at the auto shop gave me a job, evenings and weekends to start.”

Dr. Gensai looked skeptical “Sano, you can really fix cars?”

Sano laughed, “Yeah, don’t take Yahiko’s complaints seriously. I always tinker with that car! I’ll work on it tonight and have it ready by the morning, no sweat.”

*

The day passed easily enough in this manner -with idle gossip of this and that - and Yahiko and Sano ravenously devouring Miyako’s wonderful cooking.

Dr. Gensai drove them home later - and Sanosuke noticed that no one mentioned the absence of Aoshi. Before Yahiko had even hit the door of the house - Sano was in his overalls and working on the car. Yahiko shook his head and went about his chores. Sano was still working when Yahiko was ready for bed. He perched himself on a spare tire and watched his brother work - the grease covering his overalls in erratic patterns. He thought about finding Sano under a car - almost anytime of the day or night back in LA. He remembered Sano hanging out with his friends - and the laughter that threatened to drown out every other sound in the world. Why had they moved away? All of Sano’s friends were back there- not here in Willow Falls.

“What’s on your mind squirt?”

“I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Why we moved -

Why DID we come back here? I remember you talking about how much you hated Willow Falls.”

Sano shrugged. “Things change.”

“Don’t you miss Tio and Riko? What about Katsu?”

“What about Katsu?”

Sano dropped the ratchet he was using on the floor and had to pick it up.

“You made a pact with him didn’t you? Aren’t you friends forever or something?”

Sano looked up sharply. Yahiko realized his mistake. They had never told him about the pact - he had happened to overhear something when spying on them one day.

Sano’s eyes narrowed. Yahiko began to wonder if he would get the belt tonight.

His brother surprised him however - he watched as the grimace fell into a slight frown and Sano went back to working on the car.

After a tense silence -

“It’s not exactly a pact. I’ll tell you about it later.”

Yahiko blinked. He couldn’t believe his luck -

“Okay.”

Yahiko waited for Sano to say more - but his brother appeared too occupied. He pulled himself off the tire and started to leave - but just as he was about to disappear into the darkness between the house and shack - he heard Sano’s voice.

“I don’t know all the reasons why I decided to bring us back - I know I was planning to come even before Shishio challenged me - but really - for some reason I just wanted to bring YOU back.”

Yahiko swallowed and stood still - wondering if his brother would finally say what had been nagging him for the past year.

“I should’ve left you here - I realize that now - I never should have taken you with me.”

Yahiko’s fist curled up into a ball and he felt a tear slide down his cheek.

‘Dammit, Sano - that’s not what I wanted to hear.’

Yahiko somehow managed to get one foot moving in front of the other - he made his way to his bedroom and pulled his shirt off. He stared blankly out the window to the tool shed - and listened to the faint noises of Sano’s repair work. He then looked up into the sky - at the stars twinkling in the lush velvet. Ever since he could remember - it had been him and Sano. Always together - he was always following - Sano. He remembered his parents of course - he often had said things about them- things that made Sanosuke wince. Even for being so young, Yahiko had learned what not to bring up in front of his brother. He fell into his bed and sighed - adults could be so confusing - and he was just along for the ride.

************ Time for a brief interlude ***********

Swinging On A Star

- words by Johnny Burke, music by Jimmy Van Huesen

- as recorded by Bing Crosby

* stars indicate next stanza - I am still having to post using notepad ;(

         **

~Would you like to swing on a star

Carry moonbeams home in a jar

And be better off than you are

Or would you rather be a mule~

*

~A mule is an animal with long funny ears

Kicks up at anything he hears

His back is brawny but his brain is weak

He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak

And by the way, if you hate to go to school

You may grow up to be a mule~

*

~Or would you like to swing on a star

Carry moonbeams home in a jar

And be better off than you are

Or would you rather be a pig~

*

~A pig is an animal with dirt on his face

His shoes are a terrible disgrace

He has no manners when he eats his food

He's fat and lazy and extremely rude

But if you don't care a feather or a fig

You may grow up to be a pig~

*

~Or would you like to swing on a star

Carry moonbeams home in a jar

And be better off than you are

Or would you rather be a fish~

*

~A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook

He can't write his name or read a book

To fool the people is his only thought

And though he's slippery, he still gets caught

But then if that sort of life is what you wish

You may grow up to be a fish

A new kind of jumped-up slippery fish~

*

~And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo

Every day you meet quite a few

So you see it's all up to you

You can be better than you are

You could be swingin' on a star~

****************

Yahiko hit the floor running at Sanosuke’s call - he threw supplies in his bag and ran down the stairs tucking in his shirt. Sano gave him a once over and nodded. He had made scrambled eggs and fried up two big pieces of ham. Yahiko shoveled the food into his mouth and eyed a paper bag in front of him. He looked up at his brother - who was watching him with an amused smile.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“So why the look?”

“You wake up like a tornado.”

“What’s in the bag?”

“Lunch.”

“Yeah, but WHAT is it?”

Sanosuke rolled his eyes -

“Honestly, Yahiko - you drive me crazy!”

“Well?”

“That steak that was left over from last night- two slices of salami, a wedge of cheese, an apple and an orange. Money for milk.”

“Why two fruits?”

“God, you are annoying. I watched you yesterday- you didn’t eat any.”

“I could just trade them off- you wouldn’t be the wiser.”

“True. Do that by all means.”

Yahiko snorted.

Sano turned back to the counter.

“Don’t blame me if you get scurvy, though.”

Yahiko glared. He thought about last night.

“What about the car?”

“Fixed.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“What are YOU doing today?”

“I don’t know.”

Sano looked at the glare he was receiving and shrugged.

“Really! I don’t know!”

Yahiko snorted again.

The drive to the school was quiet, Yahiko hopped out of the car with a warning not to be late, and Sano just grinned before speeding off. Yahiko shook his head and went inside the building - his brother was a pain - but school was something he could handle.

Sano stopped by the auto shop to hang around and observe. After lunch, his curiosity propelled him to walk to the high school. He walked around the campus to the look at the stadium and football field. For a time he was lost in thought - and was unaware, that he had company. He turned around to find a man leaning against the school wall, a cigarette dangling loosely from his lips. His features were sharp and unemotional.

Somewhere - in his gut - Sano felt butterflies- and he struggled to maintain his composure. He began walking forward - intentionally in the direction of the man. However, before reaching him - he suddenly veered to the right - making it painfully obvious that he fully intended to ignore him. So it came as a complete shock - the way the man slid into Sano’s field of vision - effectively stopping him in his tracks - and mere centimeters short of them colliding. Sano grimaced as a thin trail of cigarette smoke was blown into his face. Sano glared at the taller man - but did not succeed in bringing any reaction from the other’s impassive countenance. They continued for a time - like that - staring each other down.

Doors burst open nearby and a flood of teenagers spilled out. Football uniforms and short skirts were intermingled in a noisy mass. The girls set up their formation and launched into a deafening rhythm of yells.

~~Zip it up, Zip it up wwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaay up!~~

~~Shake ‘em up, toss ‘em up wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaay up!~~

“You are Sanosuke Sagara.”

Sano blinked at the man.

“Yeah, so?”

The man didn’t respond - he looked Sano up and down casually and then his gaze traveled towards the playing fields - almost as if Sano was just an insect to him.

~~ See our strength, we do not bend, we will win in the end!~~

~~ We will fight, fight, fight!!!~~~

Sano’s patience was wearing thin - he sidestepped the guy and continued on-

‘What is it with people getting in my face lately?’

“Mister Sagara, I take it you will be enrolling today?”

Sano stopped. He had been walking as fast as he could - and yet this guy spoke as if he was right behind him. Sanosuke was so spooked - he didn’t even turn around.

He waited for “smoking man’s” next words.

“My name is Saitoh, I’m the Vice Principal, - follow me, Mister Sagara.”

*

Sanosuke felt small sitting behind the desk of Saitoh, “The Almighty”

On the other hand, he could also compare what he was feeling to the first time his ass got whipped in the ring. Yeah, that was about right. He felt like a ring mat.

“Do you smoke, Mister Sagara?”

Sano blinked. ‘What the hell was that?’

“No, it shortens my wind.”

Saitoh gave him a peculiar look for a second- then continued his odd interrogation.

“Did you know I served with your father?”

Sano started in his chair thinking ‘Okay - what the hell is going on?’

“No.”

“I see.” Saitoh swiveled in his chair and looked out the window behind him.

Sano started feeling like an insect again - the silence was overwhelming.

“How are you in Arithmetic?”

“Fair”

“Reading and Comprehension?”

“Above Average”

“Really?”

It wasn’t a question or statement - to Sano it was like the sound of finger nails down a chalkboard.

He’d had enough.

“Yeah, I am also fair in Psychology, History and Economics. I’m a wiz in Home Economics - I cook a mean casserole. Your mouth will just water with anticipation! Look, can I leave now?”

Saitoh was silent. Sano was growing increasingly uncomfortable.

“I bet you can navigate your way around a machine shop blindfolded.”

This time the comment wasn’t snide or insulting. It was dripping with honest-to-goodness sincerity. Sano could sincerely say that the man confused him. He remained silent.

Saitoh swiveled back to face Sano - his expression unchanged.

“I expect you to show up by the end of the 8:15 bell- every school day from now on - if you are not in these walls at that time - I am personally coming to get you, is that understood?”

Sano tried to keep his mouth from falling open in surprise- he managed to give a curt nod.

“Good. Get out of my office.”

Sano stood and ran his fingers through his hair - why did he suddenly feel like a complete moron?

Saitoh was just staring at him - his face as blank as a slate. It was all Sano could do to walk out of the office without tripping all over himself. He kept replaying the scene in his head - all the way back to the gas station. It was just too bizarre - he felt like he was walking in a dream.

         ~~“Did you know I served with your father?”~~

He stopped in his tracks for a moment.

He then grimaced, stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued moving. So what?! That was already in the past.

He picked Yahiko up at school and listened half diligently to all the things Yahiko had to tell him about his first day. Sano was jealous - Yahiko really liked school and he made friends easily.

Sano stared ahead at the dusty road.